Marie Vassilieff

Painter, applied artist. Born in Smolensk in the family of Ivan Vasilyev (1884). Studied at a private school of art in St Petersburg (1902–05). Awarded a grant from Dowager Empress Maria Fyodorovna and visited Paris (1905). Took lessons from Henri Matisse and attended the Académie de la Palette (from 1907), where she met Fernand Léger and Pablo Picasso. Wrote for Russian newspapers and magazines. Initiated the creation of the Russian Literary-Arts Society in Paris (1910) and headed the Russian Arts Academy (1910). Founded the Free Academy (Academy of Marie Vassilieff) at her studio (1912), operating on the principles of free work without teaching, creating a literary and artistic centre for Russians living in Paris. Passion for the painting of Cézanne and Matisse was replaced by an interest in Cubism (1910s), with Vassilieff working in that movement, creating paintings and sculptures. Also carried out furniture and interior design projects. Lived in Russia (1915–16). Enjoyed success in Paris with her grotesque portraits-puppets of figures from the arts world, which were financed by the couturier Paul Poiret (1920s). Worked in theatre (1920s–30s). Completed the graphic series Puppet Portraits of People who Deserve Better (1930) and, in, created the Museum of Marie Vassilieff at her studio (1934). Died in Nogent-sur-Marne (1957). Contributed to exhibitions (from 1909). Contributed to the Salon d’Automne (from 1909), Salon des Indépendants (from 1910, 1946–57), Salon des Tuileries (1920s), Contemporary French and Russian Art in Kharbin (1913) and Moscow (1913), 0.10 (1915), Store (1916), Contemporary Decorative Arts (1916), 30 Years of Independent Art. 1884–1914 (Paris, 1926), Our Union magazine (Paris, 1936), exhibition of Russian art in London (1921), international exhibition in Paris (1925) and one-woman shows in Paris (1916, 1922, 1924, 1928, 1946, 1949, 1955).